Drinking Alcohol While On Medication Can Be Harmful

Symptom/Disorders

Medication 
(Brand name)

Medication 
(Generic name)

Some possible reactions with alcohol

Allergies/Colds/Flu

• Alavert®

Loratadine

Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk for overdose

• Atarax®

Hydroxyzine

• Benadryl®

Diphenhydramine

• Clarinex®

Desloratadine

• Claritin®,
  Claritin-D®

Loratadine

• Dimetapp® Cold &Allergy

Brompheniramine

• Sudafed® Sinus & Allergy

Chlorpheniramine

• Triaminic® Cold & Allergy

Chlorpheniramine

• Tylenol® Cold & Flu

Chlorpheniramine

• Zyrtec®

Cetirizine

Arthritis

• Celebrex®

Celecoxib

Ulcers, stomach bleeding, liver damage

• Naprosyn®

Naproxen

• Voltaren®

Diclofenac

Attention and concentration (Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder)

• Adderall®

Amphetamine/dextro-amphetamine

Dizziness, drowsiness, impaired concentration (methylphenidate, dexmethylphenidate); possible increased risk for heart problems (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine); liver damage (atomoxetine)

• Concerta®,
  Ritalin®

Methylphenidate

• Dexedrine®

Dextroamphetamine

• Focalin®

Dexmethylphenidate

• Strattera®

Atomoxetine

• Vyvanse®

Lisdexamfetamine

Blood clots

• Coumadin®

Warfarin

Occasional drinking may lead to internal bleeding; heavier drinking also may cause bleeding or may have the opposite effect, resulting in possible blood clots, strokes, or heart attacks

Depression

• Abilify®

Aripriprazone

Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk for overdose; increased feelings of depression or hopelessness (all medications); impaired motor control (quetiapine, mirtazapine); increased alcohol effect (bupropion); liver damage (duloxetine)

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as tranylcypromine and phenelzine, when combined with alcohol, may result in serious heart-related side effects. Risk for dangerously high blood pressure is increased when MAOIs are mixed with tyramine, a byproduct found in beer and red wine

• Anafranil®

Clomipramine

• Celexa®

Citalopram

• Clozaril®

Clozapine

• Cymbalta®

Duloxetine

• Desyrel®

Trazodone

• Effexor®

Venlafaxine

• Elavil®

Amitriptyline

• Geodon®

Ziprasidone

• Invega®

Paliperidone

• Lexapro®

Escitalopram

• Luvox®

Fluvoxamine

• Nardil®

Phenelzine

• Norpramin®

Desipramine

• Pamate®

Tranylcypromine

• Paxil®

Paroxetine

• Pristiq®

Desevenlafaxine

• Prozac®

Fluoxetine

• Remeron®

Mirtazapine

• Risperdal®

Risperidone

• Seroquel®

Quetiapine

• Serzone®

Nefazodone

• Symbyax®

Fluoxetine/Olanzapine

• Wellbutrin®

Bupropion

• Zoloft®

Sertraline

• Zyprexa®

Olanzapine

• Herbal preparations (St. John's Wort)

Diabetes

• Diabinese®

Chlorpropamide

Abnormally low blood sugar levels, flushing reaction (nausea, vomiting, headache, rapid heartbeat, sudden changes in blood pressure); symptoms of nausea and weakness may occur (metformin)

• Glucotrol®

Glipizide

• Glucophage®

Metformin

• Glynase®,
  DiaBeta®,
  Micronase®

Glyburide

• Orinase®

Tolbutamide

• Tolinase®

Tolazamide

• Flomax®

Tamsulosin

• Hytrin®

Terazosin

• Minipress®

Prazosin

• Reglan®

Metoclopramide

• Tagamet®

Cimetidine

• Zantac®

Ranitidine

High blood pressure

• Accupril®

Quinapril

Dizziness, fainting, drowsiness; heart problems such as changes in the heart's regular heartbeat (arrhythmia)

• Calan®

Verapamil

• Capozide®

Hydrochlorothiazide

• Cardura®

Doxazosin

• Catapres®

Clonidine

• Cozaar®

Losartan

• Hytrin®

Terazosin

• Lopressor® HCT

Hydrochlorothiazide

• Lotensin®

Benzapril

• Minipress®

Prazosin

• Norvasc®

Amlodipine mesylate

• Prinivil®,
  Zestril®

Lisinopril

• Vaseretic®

Enalapril

High cholesterol

• Advicor®

Lovastatin + Niacin

Liver damage (all medications); increased flushing and itching (niacin), increased stomach bleeding (pravastatin + aspirin)

• Altocor®

Lovastatin

• Crestor®

Rosuvastatin

• Lipitor®

Atorvastatin

• Mevacor®

Lovastatin

• Niaspan®

Niacin

• Pravachol®

Pravastatin

• Pravigard^TM

Pravastatin + Aspirin

• Vytorin^TM

Ezetimibe + Simvastatin

• Zocor®

Simvastatin

Infections

• Acrodantin®

Nitrofurantoin

Fast heartbeat, sudden changes in blood pressure; stomach pain, upset stomach, vomiting, headache, or flushing or redness of the face; liver damage (isoniazid, ketoconazole)

• Flagyl®

Metronidazole

• Grisactin®

Griseofulvin

• Nizoral®

Ketoconazole

• Nydrazid®

Isoniazid

• Seromycin®

Cycloserine

• Tindamax®

Tinidazole

• Zithromax®

Azithromycin

Mood stabilizers

• Depakene®,
  Depakote®

Valproic acid

Drowsiness, dizziness; tremors; increased risk for side effects, such as restlessness, impaired motor control; loss of appetite; stomach upset; irregular bowel movement; joint or muscle pain; depression; liver damage (valproic acid)

• Eskalith®,
  Eskalith®CR,
  Lithobid

Lithium

Muscle pain

• Flexeril®

Cyclobenzaprine

Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk of seizures; increased risk for overdose; slowed or difficulty breathing; impaired motor control; unusual behavior; memory problems

• Soma®

Carisoprodol

Nausea, motion sickness

• Antivert®

Meclizine

Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk for overdose

• Dramamine®

Dimenhydrinate

• Phenergan®

Promethazine

Pain (such as muscle ache, minor arthritis pain), fever, inflammation

• Advil®

Ibuprofen

Stomach upset, bleeding and ulcers; liver damage (acetaminophen); rapid heartbeat

• Aleve®

Naproxen

• Excedrin®

Aspirin, Acetaminophen

• Motrin®

Ibuprofen

• Tylenol®

Acetaminophen

Severe pain from injury, postsurgical care, oral surgery, migraines

• Darvocet-N®

Propoxyphene

Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk for overdose; slowed or difficulty breathing; impaired motor control; unusual behavior; memory problems

• Demerol®

Merepidine

• Fiorinal® with codeine

Butalbital + codeine

• Percocet®

Oxycodone

• Vicodin®

Hydrocodone

Sleep problems

• Ambien®

Zolpidem

Drowsiness, sleepiness, dizziness; slowed or difficulty breathing; impaired motor control; unusual behavior; memory problems

• Lunesta^TM

Eszopiclone

• Prosom^TM

Estazolam

• Restoril®

Temazepam

• Sominex®

Diphenhydramine

• Unisom®

Doxylamine

• Herbal preparations (chamomile, valerian, lavender)

Increased drowsiness